18th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA | Great Divide Brewing Company

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So... a bit of a disclaimer. This here bottle of beer sat in an outdoor storage facility in Austin Texas from November to August. I was expecting to open it and have to pour it out (needless to say I would not be reviewing it...), since, as we all know, heat=death to beer.
Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the sink. It's still pretty damn good. I have not tasted it fresh, so I don't know just how different the age/heat necessarily makes it, but suffice to say it is DEFINITELY not ruined, and I don't feel bad reviewing it.

Pours the caramel amber colour you expect from a DIPA. Small white head with good lacing.

The nose starts out sweet. This melds to a woody/vinous character then finally some piney/grassy/citrus and a distinct mint note that kind of takes me by surprise.

As it hits the lips, the flavours start to become more evident. The vague sweet/wood forms to the vanilla and oak from the aging. As smoothe malt and citrus hops give way to a slight booziness. I don't know if it's something to do with the heat or the age or just what it was built to taste like, but there's something on the very backend that finally gives hints of... something else. Honestly, though, if I weren't looking for some off flavours I don't think I'd find anything to nitpick.

I was worried about two things, mainly: The fact that this is a DIPA from last year, and the fact that it sat in temperatures in the triple digits. Neither seems to have been a problem. This is a tasty venture from a high quality brewery. I almost wish I could taste what it would be like with even a little more age on it (but held in appropriate cellaring conditions...). Definitely glad it didn't get ruined.

Poured into a tulip; translucent darker reddish orange with a thick fluffy off-white head that doesn't fade at all. Lots of carbonation visible, and tons of sticky lacing. Smell is oak, nutty/spicy hops, bready malt, almost rye-like with the nuttiness. Some sweeter fruity notes, like golden raisins perhaps. Taste is sweet, clear malt at first, moving into nutty/spicy herbal and piney hops, mellowed by oak; then the alcohol heat comes and brings bread crust and bitter hop oils. The oak character gets more complex as it warms, revealing vanilla. Mouthfeel is slick and medium.
Overall this is a lovely complex DIPA. Being a year old, the hops have probably faded a bit, but I don't think they do that much. Lots of flavor in this beer regardless; it's a delicious sipping beer. Would be great with sharp cheese.

Pours a hazy dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, citrus zest, and slight wood aromas. Taste is much the same with sour citrus flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer with a sour presence in the flavor that is unexpected for the style but fairly drinkable as is.